Where Do We Go From Here?

Trump takes office again on January 20. For those of us working to advance gender equality and intersecting issues, where do we collectively go from here? How do we make progress?

As we face shifting political landscapes, the question is not if we can continue to advance gender equality, but how we can amplify our impact. Gender equality is an imperative for healthy democracy and economic agency for all citizens. Equality Now celebrates being a key part of the coalition that made the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) a reality endorsed by the Biden presidency. After 102 years of unrelenting advocacy, this historic milestone enshrines equality on the basis of sex as “the law of the land.” It is proof that when diverse voices unite behind a shared vision, transformative change becomes possible. Although this victory is not an endpoint but a call to action, it renews our commitment to building a just world, requiring resilience, collaboration, and bold strategies.

To continue advancing gender equality, we must:

• Forge Inclusive Coalitions: Collaborative movements combining the voices of civil society, governments, and the private sector are critical for systemic change that shows the power of unity in action.
• Invest in Women’s Leadership: Women leaders bring transformative perspectives and solutions to the table, ensuring inclusivity and sustainability. As equal partners we can build a society (or the proverbial glass) that is full, not half empty.
• Demand Accountability: We must hold leaders and institutions to their commitments, particularly in protecting and advancing legal and economic rights for all.
• Engage the Private Sector: Businesses play a pivotal role in advancing equality through equitable workplace policies, closing pay gaps, and fostering opportunities for women across industries to be equal contributors and beneficiaries of economic growth.

The 85+ laws that Equality Now has changed is a reminder that progress is never inevitable—it is the product of relentless advocacy and collective courage. Together, we must push forward and seize every opportunity to transform societies for the better.

What is your call to action on the issues you are most passionate about?

Advancing gender equality. Gender equality is not just a cause—it is the foundation of justice, dignity, and progress for all. At Equality Now, our mission is clear: To drive systemic change by strengthening legal frameworks, holding leaders accountable, and championing economic and fundamental rights as non-negotiable pillars of non-violence and equality.

Our approach is rooted in:

• Collaboration: Partnering with global organizations and amplifying grassroots efforts to create unified, intersectional movements for change.
• Leadership: Elevating women’s voices and ensuring they have the resources and agency to lead growth and benefit at every level.
• Actionable Impact: Working tirelessly to embed equality into the social, legal, and economic fabric of our societies.

This is a collective journey, and the time to act is now. Together, we can create a world where every woman and girl has the tools to thrive and where justice and equality are not ideals but realities. Real progress is possible when we work together. It is now up to us as leaders to honor the legacy of those women who went before us and ensure that future generations inherit a nation where equality is guaranteed, not debated. It’s time to strategically turn passion into progress.

Portions of this interview appeared at ForbesWomen.

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